MRS. SWDONS AS LADY MACBETH 57 



But screw your courage to the sticking-place, 

 And we'll not fail. 28 When Duncan is asleep 

 Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey 

 Soundly invite him his two chamberlains 

 Will I with wine and wassail so convince 

 That memory, the warder of the brain, 

 Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason 

 A limbec only ; 29 when in swinish sleep 

 Their drenched natures lie as in a death, 

 What cannot you and I perform upon 

 The unguarded Duncan ' ? what not put upon 

 His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt 

 Of our great quell ? 



Macbeth. Bring forth men-children only ; 



For thy undaunted mettle should compose 

 Nothing but males. Will it not be received, 

 When we have marked with blood those sleepy two 

 Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, 

 That they have done't ? 



Lady. Who dares receive it other, 30 



As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar 

 Upon his death ? 



Macbeth. I am settled, and bend up 



Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. 

 Away, and mock the time with fairest show : 

 False face must hide what the false heart doth know. 



[Exeunt. 



The next note refers to Macbeth's dagger scene, and is very 

 interesting, although referring more immediately to Kemble 

 than to his sister. Professor Bell says : 



There is much stage trick and very cold in this scene of Kemble 

 walks across the stage, his eyes on the ground, starts at the sight 



Duncan,' &c. This spoken near to him, and in a low earnest whisper of dis- 

 covery she discloses her plan. 



29 Pauses as if trying the effect on him. Then renews her plan more 

 earnestly, low still, but with increasing confidence. Throughout this scene 

 she feels her way, observes the wavering of his mind ; suits her earnestness 

 and whole manner to it. With contempt, affection, reason, the conviction of 

 her well- concerted plan, the assurance of success which her wonderful tones 

 inspire, she turns him to her purpose with an art in which the player shares 

 largely in the poet's praise. 



30 Pause. Look of great confidence, much dignity of mien. In ' dares ' 

 great and imperial dignity. 



